KARACHI, Oct 22: Intestinal blood loss, occult infections, malaria and poor nutritional options, with particular reference to improper consumption of food with high iron content, are identified as major cause of low haemoglobin levels among local population, particularly children.

Paediatricians maintain that more than half of children under-15 in the country are anaemic and significant malnutrition is prevalent among the local paediatric age group.

It is observed that patients of anaemia and malnutrition, coupled with poverty, are generally in little position to avail proper intervention and lead a quality life.

Declined physical activity followed by decreased school performance, along with cognitive functions, growth failure and severely effected immunity system, are also cited among some of the manifestations of the condition.

Anaemia is also identified to be one of the major contributory factors for chronic renal disease and renal failure among local children.

It has been established on basis of latest research that haemoglobin of local kids is generally no more than eight grams which should ideally range between 10 to 12 grams.

As the optimal management of renal anaemia comes to around Rs 10,000, due care is required to be extended towards simple and cost-effective diagnosis and careful treatment.

It may also be mentioned that 2.5 litre blood is estimated to be lost per year among every single case of ESRD during procedures, including dialysis, frequent blood test, tubing/ dialyser and soforth.

While 25 per cent of first world patients, on dialysis, are registered to be inflicted with iron deficiency. The figure comes to 60 per cent in the developing countries, including Pakistan.

Apart from poor iron absorption capabilities among chronic renal failure cases, iron deficiency was also attributed to external blood loss, inflammatory disorders, bone-marrow malignancies and insufficient dialysis.—APP